The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 23, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

An engaging story about two girls whose passion for jumping rope is enriched by the gift their uncle brings them from East Africa. Sisters April and Erica, who love to jump Double Dutch, are in desperate need of friends to join them in their games. Enter Uncle Zambezi, fresh from Tanzania, his hair in Nubian locks that hang around his large, laughing eyes. He brings them magical jump ropes made of sisal and dyed by his friend Layla, telling April and Erica that any wish they make while jumping with the ropes will come true. The girls wish for more jumping partners and up pulls a moving van, with two new friends to join their games. The lively text is punctuated by real jump rope rhymes; Hru (Joshua's Masai Mask, 1993) also provides information on how the jump ropes were made and dyed. Lewis's expressive watercolors bring to life the languid summer days of childhood and the warm embrace of a neighborhood. (Picture book. 4-8)

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